Bridgwater & Taunton College students are celebrating their A Level and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) results, marking yet another year of excellent academic and personal achievement, with the number of students receiving high grades (A* – B) for A Levels and IBDP up to 38% and the top 20 A Level students achieving 33 A* – A grades between them.

Andy Berry, College Principal & Chief Executive said, “It has been great to be part of today’s results day and hear all of the success stories and exciting plans of our students who are off to pursue their passions at some top universities. The A Level programme is one of our flagship programmes at the College, and at a time of austerity we are delighted to be able to invest in its continued success. From this September we will be increasing delivery hours per subject from 4.5 to 6 hours per week in the first year. This will give our students more time to study with our inspirational staff. 

The overall IBDP results were outstanding once again, with the average total point score achieved being 32.5 (out of a maximum of 45), compared to the IB World Standard of 30 points. Furthermore, six students gained very high scores between 37 and 40 points.

Students have confirmed places with universities such as Aberystwyth, Bath, Cardiff Met, Exeter, Hull, Warwick, and Bridgwater & Taunton College’s own University Centre Somerset, situated at the Taunton campus.

Jenny Ashworth, Assistant Principal for A Levels, Arts & Professional Studies said, “It's been a fantastic year for our A Level and IBDP students with the amount of high grades achieved increasing on last year. Today is about our students, and our staff have loved being with them while they open their envelopes.”

Here are some examples of A Level students who did particularly well:

• Myles Fisher, former pupil of Chilton Trinity achieved 3 A*s in Further Mathematics, Mathematics and Physics and is off to study Mathematics at University of Bristol. Myles commented, “Wow, I'm in total shock. I'm so happy and proud of my results.”
• Ross French who attended Haygrove School achieved an A* in Mathematics, and 2 As in Further Mathematics and Chemistry. He is off to Durham University to study Mathematics.
• Robin Simmons, former pupil of Huish Episcopi achieved 2 A*s in Mathematics and Physics and an A in Further Mathematics, and is off to study Mathematics at The University of Bristol.
• Aaron Griffiths, former pupil of St Dunstan’s School achieved 3 As in Government & Politics, Philosophy and Sociology and is off to the Queen Mary University of London to study Politics. He commented, “I'm really pleased with my results and can’t wait to start at university.”
• Cerin Pye who attended Churchill Academy achieved 2 As in Archaeology and Geology and a B in Geography, and is off to University of Leicester to study Geology with Palaeobiology.
• James Della Valle, former pupil of Kingsmead School achieved an A in Fine Art and Bs in Photography and Physics, and is off to University College London to study Architecture. He said, “I'm so glad I got the grades I needed. I've wanted to be an Architect since Year 8. Thank you to the staff who have all been so supportive.”
• Georgia Smith who attended Haygrove School achieved 2 As in Biology and Geography and a B in Chemistry, and is going to Surrey University to study Veterinary Science.
• Sadie Fear, former pupil of Bishop Fox’s School achieved an A in Geology and Bs in Biology and Psychology, and is going to Exeter University to study Geology. She commented, “I'm very happy with my grades and can’t wait to start university!”
• Callum Sherwood who attended Chilton Trinity achieved A grades in Economics, Law and AS Level Government & Politics and a B in History. He is returning to College next year to finish his A Level in Government & Politics and to take an A Level in Business before going to study Law at university.

If you would like to know more about studying A Levels or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at Bridgwater & Taunton College please contact our Information and Guidance team on 01278 441234 .